Colombia’s first lady promises transparency over earthquake donations

Colombia's First Lady, Ana Lucia Pineda, has committed to being transparent about the funds collected and spent following the August 10 earthquake that impacted hundreds of thousands of individuals. Publicly facing increasing scrutiny over the utilization of these funds, Pineda announced on the morning show of the public television channel, Nuestro Caribe, that her foundation, Luz y Sonrisas, will disclose its financials on Friday.

Holding a white folder, the wife of President Abelardo de la Espriella highlighted that "all the monies...received during the 'Colombia One Single Heart' campaign" are accounted for in the foundation's records. Pineda stated, "A lie will not undermine the truth of who I am or what I embody, nor how my children perceive me."

Luz y Sonrisas was among three NGOs recommended by the de la Espriella administration to gather contributions for earthquake victims. The foundation was the only one permitted to accept donations from overseas. Earlier in the week, the news program Noticias Uno disclosed that Pineda's foundation, established on July 7, had not yet obtained the tax exemption needed to receive donations, a procedure that typically takes months.

According to a press release from the tax office DIAN, it had granted the tax exemption to the first lady, allowing her to legally accept financial contributions.

Pineda did not disclose the exact amount of money collected but stated that she ceased supporting initial relief efforts "because the humanitarian aid was sufficient, it was huge." The first lady affirmed that she has saved the donations for the reconstruction phase, expressing her initiative to construct and restore durable houses for families who had lost everything.